Basketball in Israel explained

In Israel, basketball is a popular sport, with a multi-tiered professional club league system, as well as men's and women's national teams.

Professional league structure

Israeli Basketball Premier League

Ligat Ha'Al or the Israeli Premier League, is the top tier level league of basketball competition in Israel, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. Ligat HaAl comprises the top twelve basketball clubs, and was founded in 1954.[1]

Liga Leumit

Liga Leumit is the second tier level league of basketball competition.

The league contains 14 clubs that compete in a home-and-away round-robin. At the end of the season, the top eight clubs advance to the play-offs. The first round is played on a best-of-three basis. The four winning clubs advance to two best-of-five playoffs, the winners of which are promoted to the Super League. The two teams that finish at the bottom of the table are relegated to Liga Artzit.

Liga Artzit

Liga Artzit is the third tier level league of basketball competition. The league contains 24 clubs (in two districts of 12 teams each one), which compete in a home-and-away round-robin. At the end of the season, the first team from each district (South/North) is promoted to the Liga Leumit. The two teams that finish at the bottom of the table are relegated to Liga Alef.[2]

Liga Alef

Liga Alef is the fourth tier in Israeli Basketball.

Liga Bet

Liga Bet is the fifth and lowest level tier in Israeli Basketball.

State Cups

Israeli Basketball State Cup

The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl.The tournament began in 1956, and is run by the IBA. The tournament format consists rounds each consisting of one game elimination matches.[3]

Maccabi Tel Aviv has won the most tournaments, having won 45, last winning the contest in the 2020–21 season.

Israeli Basketball National League Cup

The tournament cup for teams from the second division. tournament held since 2021.

Israeli Basketball League Cup

The Israeli Basketball League Cup is a pre-season basketball tournament held since 2006. It is held the week before the Ligat HaAl season.

Men's team title holders

Season ChampionsState CupLeague Cup
2023–24 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel JerusalemHapoel Jerusalem
2022–23 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel JerusalemMaccabi Tel Aviv
2021–22 (L, C, LC)Hapoel HolonBnei HerzliyaMaccabi Tel Aviv
2020–21 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2019–20 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel JerusalemHapoel Jerusalem
2018–19 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel JerusalemMaccabi Rishon LeZion
2017–18 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel HolonMaccabi Tel Aviv
2016–17 (L, C, LC)Hapoel JerusalemMaccabi Tel AvivHapoel Jerusalem
2015–16 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Rishon LeZionMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2014–15 (L, C, LC)Hapoel JerusalemMaccabi Tel AvivHapoel Jerusalem
2013–14 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2012–13 (L, C, LC)Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2011–12 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2010–11 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2009–10 (L, C, LC)Hapoel Gilboa GalilMaccabi Tel AvivHapoel Jerusalem
2008–09 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel HolonHapoel Jerusalem
2007–08 (L, C, LC)Hapoel HolonHapoel JerusalemMaccabi Tel Aviv
2006–07 (L, C, LC)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel JerusalemIroni Ashkelon
2005–06 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2004–05 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2003–04 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2002–03 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2001–02 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2000–01 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1999–2000 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1998–99 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1997–98 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1996–97 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Jerusalem
1995–96 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Jerusalem
1994–95 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivBnei Herzliya
1993–94 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1992–93 (L, C)Hapoel Galil ElyonHapoel Tel Aviv
1991–92 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Galil Elyon
1990–91 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1989–90 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1988–89 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1987–88 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Galil Elyon
1986–87 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1985–86 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1984–85 (L, C)Maccabi Tel Aviv
1983–84 (L, C)Hapoel Tel Aviv
1982–83 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1981–82 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1980–81 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1979–80 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1978–79 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1977–78 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1976–77 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1975–76 (L, C)Hapoel Gvat/Yagur
1974–75 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1973–74 (L, C)Maccabi Tel Aviv
1972–73 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1971–72 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1970–71 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1969–70 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1968–69 (L, C)Hapoel Tel AvivHapoel Tel Aviv
1967–68 (L, C)Maccabi Tel Aviv
1966–67 (L, C)
1965–66 (L, C)Hapoel Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1964–65 (L, C)Hapoel Tel Aviv
1963–64 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1962–63 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1961–62 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Tel Aviv
1960–61 (L, C)Hapoel Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1959–60 (L, C)Hapoel Tel Aviv
1958–59 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1957–58 (L, C)Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1956–57 (L, C)Maccabi Tel Aviv
1955–56 (L, C)Maccabi Tel Aviv
1954–55 (L, C)Maccabi Tel Aviv
1953–54 (L, C)Maccabi Tel Aviv
+ Legend
Won all 3 titles in the same year
Won 2 titles in the same year

Israel national basketball teams

The combined Men's and Women's basket team is ranked 55th in the world,[4] and 23rd in the Europe.[5]

Men's

The Israel national basketball team is a men's basketball team that represents Israel in international competitions.

The Israeli team has participated 28 times in the European championship tournament. Their best achievements were a silver medal in 1979, and 5th place in 1953 and 1977. Israel is currently ranked 37th in the world by FIBA,[6] and 14th in Europe (July 2014).[7] Israel will also be the host nation of the competition in 2017.[8]

Women's

The Israel women's national basketball team is a women's basketball team that represents Israel in international competitions.

The women's team is ranked 36th in the world,[9] and 16th in Europe.[10] (July 2014)

They have competed in the EuroBasket Women's tournament 6 times, but have won no metals. Their highest ever finish was 8th place in 1991.[11]

All-time participation table

Combined table of men's and women's basketball teams, both senior and youth teams.Not included two discontinued competitions: Men's U-21 World Championship (three participations in four editions) and Women's U-21 World Championship for Women (one participation in two editions). Not included either, Mediterranean Games.

Men's national teamsWomen's national teams
Europe
U-16
World
U-17
Europe
U-18
World
U-19
Europe
U-20
Euro
Basket
World
Cup
OlympicsOlympicsWorld
Cup
Euro
Basket
Europe
U-20
World
U-19
Europe
U-18
World
U-17
Europe
U-16
2024QDNQQQDNQ2024DNQQQDNQQ2024
2023136DNQbgcolor=silver2DNQ2023167DNQ12122023
20225DNQ84172022DNQ313DNQ32022
2021DNQDNQ2021DNQDNQ2021
202020202020
2019111DNQ1DNQ2019DNQ5DNQ11112019
201810DNQ9bgcolor=gold12018DNQ6bgcolor=ccffcc 3DNQ52018
2017114DNQbgcolor=silver2212017DNQ7DNQ792017
2016bgcolor=ccffcc 2DNQbgcolor=#ffcccc 1512DNQ2016DNQ10bgcolor=#ffcccc 14DNQ42016
2015bgcolor=#ffcccc 15bgcolor=ccffcc 2DNQ10102015DNQDNQ1292015
2014bgcolor=ccffcc 2DNQ67DNQ2014DNQbgcolor=ccffcc 3DNQ122014
201395DNQ15212013DNQ6DNQ1462013
20126DNQ7bgcolor=ccffcc 3DNQ2012DNQ613DNQ92012
201147DNQ11132011135DNQ8132011
2010bgcolor=#ffcccc 15DNQ45DNQ2010DNQ612DNQ102010
200913bgcolor=#ffcccc 15DNQbgcolor=#ffcccc 15152009138DNQ4132009
2008111010DNQ2008DNQ812172008
20071111DNQ611200713bgcolor=#ffcccc 15DNQ642007
200671112DNQ2006DNQ147102006
20059792005DNQbgcolor=ccffcc 1DNQ1092005
2004118bgcolor=silver 2DNQ2004DNQDNQ932004
200310DNQ7200312DNQ2003
2002610DNQ2002DNQDNQDNQ2002
20019102001DNQDNQDNQ2001
200010bgcolor=silver 2DNQ2000DNQDNQDNQ2000
1999DNQDNQ91999DNQDNQ1999
1998610DNQ1998DNQDNQ1998
1997bgcolor=cc9966 391997DNQDNQDNQ1997
1996DNQ9DNQ1996DNQDNQ1996
19958DNQ91995DNQDNQ1995
1994105DNQ1994DNQDNQ1994
19938151993DNQDNQDNQ1993
199254DNQ1992DNQDNQ1992
19916DNQDNQ19918DNQ1991
1990DNQDNQ1990DNQDNQ1990
19897DNQ1989DNEDNQDNQ1989
198810DNQ1988DNQ101988
19879DNQ111987DNEDNQ1987
1986DNC71986DNQDNQ1986
1985791985DNEDNQDNQ1985
1984DNCDNQ1984DNQDNQDNQ1984
1983DNQDNQ61983DNQDNEDNQ1983
19829DNQ1982111982
1981861981DNEDNQ1981
19807DNQ1980DNQDNEDNQ1980
1979DNQDNQbgcolor=silver 21979DNQDNQ1979
1978DNCDNQ1978DNE131978
19771151977121977
19768DNQ1976DNQDNE111976
19751171975DNQ91975
197411DNQ1974DNE1974
197367197391973
19724DNQ1972DNE1972
19716111971DNQ81971
1970DNCDNQ1970DNE1970
196911196981969
19687DNQ1968DNE1968
19678DNQ1967DNQ101967
1966DNC1966DNE1966
196561965DNQ1965
1964DNCDNQ1964DNQDNE1964
19639DNQ19631963
19621962DNE1962
19611119611961
1960DNQ1960DNE1960
195911DNE1959DNQ1959
19581958DNE1958
1957DNE1957DNQ1957
1956DNQ1956DNE1956
1955DNE19551955
195481954DNE1954
195351953DNQ1953
1952201952DNE1952
195119511951
1950DNQ1950111950
Europe
U-16
World
U-17
Europe
U-18
World
U-19
Europe
U-20
Euro
Basket
World
Cup
OlympicsOlympicsWorld
Cup
Euro
Basket
Europe
U-20
World
U-19
Europe
U-18
World
U-17
Europe
U-16
Men's national teamsWomen's national teams
Legend
bgcolor=gold colspan=2
bgcolor=silver colspan=2
bgcolor=cc9966 colspan=2
bgcolor=ccffcc colspan=2
bgcolor=ffcccc colspan=2
In Division B
DNQalign=right Did not qualify
DNEalign=right Did Not Enter
DNCalign=right style="width:120px;" Did not compete

Arenas

There are Seven main and Big basketball arenas in Israel which are:

Israel Basketball Association

The IBA is the official governing body of basketball in Israel. The organization oversees every aspect of the sport including:

The IBA also handles associating with international bodies such as FIBA and Euroleague Basketball (company) (who organizes the Euroleague).[12]

NBA connections

Amare Stoudemire

Amare Stoudemire, from the National Basketball Association, best known for his time with the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks, in the summer of 2013, became a major shareholder of Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club together with sports agent Arn Tellem and Ori Allon. The team moved into its new home, the Jerusalem Arena, in August 2014. Stoudemire, in the summer of 2014 was scheduled to conduct his first camp in Israel, in Tel Aviv. Due to Operation Protective Edge he canceled the camp on 14 July.[13] He ended up playing for Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

NBA/WNBA players from Israel

Omri Casspi played for seven different teams over a ten-year NBA career. He was drafted 23rd overall in the 2009 NBA draft, making him the first Israeli to be selected in the first round of an NBA draft.[14]

Gal Mekel, returned to Israel in 2016 after previously playing for the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans.[15] He previously played college basketball for two years at Wichita State.[16]

Deni Avdija currently plays for the Washington Wizards.[17]

Shay Doron, in 2007 played for the New York Liberty.[18]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: גם מנהלת ליגת העל בכדורסל בגביע WINNER: מכבי ת'א מחזיקת הגביע. LTD. Art-Up. מנהלת ליגת העל בכדורסל. 2017-12-11.
  2. Web site: ONE - מספר 1 בספורט. ONE - מספר 1 בספורט. he-IL. 2017-12-11. 2014-07-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20140727183151/http://ibba.one.co.il/. dead.
  3. Web site: Israeli State Cup final: February 7, 2013 - Israel - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130214040307/http://www.euroleague.net/euroleaguenews/domestic-leagues/domestic-leagues-2012-2013/israel/i/108660/7594/israeli-state-cup-final-february-7-2013. 2013-02-14.
  4. Web site: FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE, combined - FIBA.basketball. https://web.archive.org/web/20070421005137/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/p/openNodeIDs/1001/selNodeID/1001/rankComb.html. dead. April 21, 2007. FIBA.basketball. en. 2017-12-11.
  5. Web site: FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE, combined - FIBA.basketball. https://web.archive.org/web/20070421005137/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/p/openNodeIDs/1001/selNodeID/1001/rankComb.html#%7Ctab=fiba_europe. dead. April 21, 2007. FIBA.basketball. en. 2017-12-11.
  6. Web site: FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE, men - FIBA.basketball. https://web.archive.org/web/20070427222836/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/p/openNodeIDs/999/selNodeID/999/rankMen.html. dead. April 27, 2007. FIBA.basketball. en. 2017-12-11.
  7. Web site: FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE, men - FIBA.basketball. https://web.archive.org/web/20070427222836/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/p/openNodeIDs/999/selNodeID/999/rankMen.html#%7Ctab=fiba_europe. dead. April 27, 2007. FIBA.basketball. en. 2017-12-11.
  8. Web site: Finland, Israel, Romania and Turkey To Host FIBA EuroBasket 2017 - FIBA Europe. fibaeurope.com. 5 July 2016.
  9. Web site: FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE, women - FIBA.basketball. https://web.archive.org/web/20070527194032/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/p/openNodeIDs/1000/selNodeID/1000/rankWome.html. dead. May 27, 2007. FIBA.basketball. en. 2017-12-11.
  10. Web site: FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE, women - FIBA.basketball. https://web.archive.org/web/20070527194032/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/p/openNodeIDs/1000/selNodeID/1000/rankWome.html#%7Ctab=fiba_europe. dead. May 27, 2007. FIBA.basketball. en. 2017-12-11.
  11. News: Israeli Basketball, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards - eurobasket. www.eurobasket.com. 2017-12-11.
  12. Web site: IBA Official Site . 2014-07-29 . 2014-07-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140727183151/http://ibba.one.co.il/ . dead .
  13. News: Israel Basketball Camp - Amar'e Stoudemire. 2014-04-28. Amar'e Stoudemire. 2017-12-11. en-US.
  14. News: Official NBA bio of Omri Casspi NBA.com. NBA.com. 2017-12-11. en.
  15. Web site: Gal Mekel. ESPN.com. 2017-12-11.
  16. Web site: Gal Mekel - 2006-07. 2017-12-11.
  17. Web site: Deni AvdijaWashington Wizards . NBA.com.
  18. Web site: Shay Doron went from Israel to New York to Maryland, just to play basketball. 2007-03-12. ESPN.com. 2017-12-11.